Precise Non-invasive Liver Cirrhosis Quantification via Multimodal Stiffness-Structural Fusion Imaging

Traditional Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) presents stiffness and structural images separately, requiring manual ROI delineation for liver stiffness assessment. This introduces observer variability and may overlook significant lesions, failing to accurately represent whole-liver stiffness distribution patterns. The present study implemented multimodal image fusion integrating stiffness maps with structural images using: (1) acquisition on a 3.0T MRI with optimized T1-weighted imaging (TR/TE = 157.62/1.17 ms) and MRE (60 Hz vibrations); (2) computational preprocessing of DICOM data into 3D volumes; (3) precise co-registration and fusion calculation; and (4) quantitative liver stiffness distribution analysis across different cirrhosis stages. The stiffness-structural fusion imaging technique integrated anatomical structures with stiffness patterns in a single visualization, enabling simultaneous assessment of liver morphology and stiffness distribution. Comparative analysis revealed a clear differentiation between cirrhotic patients and healthy controls, with cirrhotic livers showing significantly higher proportions of advanced fibrosis. This technique eliminated variability due to manual ROI placement and established a standardized framework for comprehensive whole-liver assessment. The stiffness-structural fusion imaging technique provides comprehensive visualization of liver stiffness with precise anatomical correlation, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional MRE. This approach eliminates observer variability, enables standardized whole-liver assessment, and establishes a quantitative framework for monitoring disease progression and treatment response, while facilitating improved clinician-patient communication and offering a foundation for advanced radiomics in liver cirrhosis staging.